Westley Richards Monkey Tail
Westley Richards & Co. · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1858
Also known as: Monkey Tail Carbine, Westley Richards Capping Breech-loader, Whitworth-Westley Richards Carbine
Overview
The Westley Richards Monkey Tail is a single-shot capping breech-loading carbine patented by Westley Richards in 1858. It loaded a self-consuming combustible paper cartridge in .451 calibre that was ignited by a conventional external percussion cap, while a distinctive rearward-curving breech lever, nicknamed the 'monkey tail', pivoted up and back to seal the breech. Adopted as a British cavalry carbine in the 1860s and by Portugal, it became famous as a favoured arm of Boer commandos during the South African wars for its reliability, accuracy, and rapid reloading from horseback.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3200 g (112.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1016 mm (40.00") |
| Barrel Length | 533 mm (20.98") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 350 m/s (1148 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2143 J (1581 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .451 Westley Richards · primary — also known as .451 calibre, Westley Richards combustible cartridge
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Capping Breech Loader, Monkey Tail Breech Lever, Combustible Paper Cartridge, External Percussion Lock
Variants
- Westley Richards Monkey Tail Rifle — Long Rifle
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1861 · as Cavalry Carbine
- Portuguese Army · adopted 1866 · as Carabina Westley Richards
- Boer Commandos
Conflicts
- First Boer War (1880-1881)
- Second Boer War (1899-1902)
Production
Production years: 1858-1881
Produced in carbine and full rifle lengths; thousands supplied to British cavalry, the Cape Colony, and Portugal, with many reaching the Boer republics.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Westley Richards
Discontinued: 1881
Notes
The 'monkey tail' nickname comes from the long curved lever and breech plug that swings up and to the rear when opened. The combustible cartridge left no case to extract, but ignition still relied on a separately fitted percussion cap.
Background
Carried in saddle buckets by Boer commandos who could reload and fire it from horseback, the Monkey Tail's combustible paper cartridge and quick-swinging breech lever made it one of the most respected mounted carbines of the percussion-to-cartridge transition era.